USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Rockland > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Rockland Massachusetts for the year ending 1915 > Part 11
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That 24% go to bed at 9 P. M. or after.
That 27% get up at 6 A. M. or before.
That 220 pupils spend $665 on picture shows. (See eye tests for upper grade pupils on page 35. )
(Several go almost every night).
That 18% frequently have headaches.
Moving pictures of the right kind are a splendid thing, but for a boy to go every night will certainly have its ef- fect on his eyes, if not on his head.
In many cases where children are affected with extreme nervousness I have found that they drink tea and coffee.
In many cases where children are so irritable and unruly that they have to be punished, I found that they are drink- ers of tea and coffee.
While these beverages may benefit the adult who works, I question very much whether a child in his tender growing years either needs or receives any benefit from them. Ask your family physician.
Following is a report of the School Physicians :
The health of the school children was ususually good un- til the outbreak of whooping cough in September. This interfered with school work and kept many children at home.
Children with tonsils and adenoids were some forty in number, a decrease of ten from last year.
1
22
FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
A considerable number of the pupils need more attention to their teeth and we earnestly advise parents to attend to this matter.
J. D. McINTOSH, JOSEPH FRAME, School Physicians.
SCHOOL SAVINGS BANK
This special training in thrift introduced last year, is showing its results in the facts mentioned by the collector on her report.
Our High school pupils also are showing that they real- ize and appreciate the dignity of labor. Last year an in- vestigation showed that they were earning annually about $5,000. This year a similar investigation showed that they are earning at the rate of about $6,000 annually, and that 56% have bank accounts.
By closing school on December 21, there were 156 pupils in town who were able to earn money which they would not have earned had school kept until the day before Christmas.
All of this shows that our boys and girls are learning how to make money and that some are learning to save it.
Mr. T. M. Haines, Supt. of Schools,
Dear Sir :
As Collector of the School Savings, I submit the follow- ing report. 1
Through the efforts of the Civics Committee of the Rock- land Woman's Club, the hearty co-operation of the Savings Bank officials and the Teachers of the town, this system was introduced into some of the schools last year, and has been extended to all the grades this year.
23
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
The results have been most gratifying, and is shown as well by the lively interest of the children in making their deposits as by the total amount deposited.
Weekly collections of a penny or more last year, amounted to $724.07. Of this amount $573 were trans- ferred to bank books-new accounts being opened or old ones added to.
Since October of this school year, $812.72 have been de- posited and $851 transferred.
There have been a very few withdrawals.
Respectfully submitted,
SARAH J. SPENCE,
Collector.
ASSOCIATED EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Teachers have obligations to the community besides those connected with their regular school work. They accom- plish some of these by working individually, and some they accomplish only by working together. The Teachers' As- sociation has maintained a very desirable friendliness and good will among the teaching force and has endeavored to promote the educational interests of the general public.
Following is a brief of the work of the association :
Mr. T. M. Haines, Supt. of Schools,
Dear Sir :
Since the organization of the Rockland Teachers' Asso- ciation in October, 1909, it has lost by death two of its most valued members, Mrs. Margaret Donovan, and Miss Alice French, whose places in the affection and esteem of their co-workers can never be filled. Many other changes have occurred from time to time as members have retired or
24
FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
gone forth to other fields of service, until at the present time the Association consists of forty members actively en- gaged in promoting the best interests of our schools.
For some time it has been the work of the association to provide an annual entertainment furnished by the pupils of the schools. The income from these entertainments has been returned to the community through various channels. The teachers have always encouraged the Home Garden idea by contributing annually a sum of money for this work. The association has presented to the public at different times some of the best speakers obtainable. The last one was Dr. Lincoln L. Wirt, on "The Conquest of the Arctic". He is engaged to come again on May 17, 1916, to give his famous lecture, "Under the Southern Cross". Besides the charitable work done by individual teachers, the association . has at various times voted money to be used for the pur- chase of clothing needed by school children. At other times it has voted money to assist in the purchase of the High school piano and for a picture machine for the As- sembly Hall. It has been pleased to respond generously to the appeals'from several stricken regions in times past. It has added many books to the Teachers' Professional Libr- ary and supplemented these with subscriptions to several educational magazines. For the past two years the ssocia- tion has maintained a children's summer playground, pro- viding the apparatus, the janitor service, and the supervi- sor .. Miss Josephine Shanahan, as supervisor, very ably conducted the work. While begun in a small way the play- ground movement should become a permanent part of the school system.
I include here the report of Miss Shanahan on the work of this last summer :
The second season of the playground has closed, but not without its rewards. The attendance was not only larger and more regular but the interest and appreciation by the
25
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
general public of the work it is trying to do, has been grat- ifying indeed. Well might it be so, considering how much effort and anxiety has been put into the work by those re- sponsible for it, those who have seen it as one of Rockland's crying needs, and who have hoped by this method to em- phasize before the public the great principle underlying the form that this has taken.
As supervisor of the playground at the Lincoln School, conducted as a sort of demonstration of what could be done at a very little cost, and of what ought to be done at almost any cost; I have felt very much the responsibility. At first I tried to lay out a definite plan for each day and to follow it closely, but after a few days I found that, although the regularity of attendance was improving, yet because of the circus or unusual conditions of weather, on many days the plan had to be materially changed or abandoned al- together.
On a playground with little apparatus and the very small children averaging about sixty in number each day. I had to draft some children from the older groups, to act after a little showing, as assistants and helpers with the younger ones.
Three groupings were made on the basis of age and school grade. This was very necessary for many games en- joyed by the smaller children were abhorred by the older ' ones and vice versa. The first group was for children in grades one, two, and three, the second group for grades four, five, and six, and the third group for grades seven and eight. Each group had sub-groups so that all the child- ren could take part in the game. This was the plan, but not so rigidly enforced as to deprive any child of a certain de- sirable freedom in play. In fact quite frequently groups were lost sight of when some general game was started in which all were interested and in which many could partici- pate.
26
FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
It was often rather difficult to teach a very new game or folk dance, for of the twenty who have partly learned it to- day five or six may not be present tomorrow, but five or six new ones may join the group and the work of yester- day must be repeated. Of course such a problem is not so noticeable in the public schools where attendance is compul- sory.
Another problem that I found was, that there is a certain number of children who have to be educated to the value of play, but who certainly learn it after a while. Apparently they had not been used to playing with other children very much, for at first they seemed to think that they should al- ways have their own way. The result was that they could not do so and soon found themselves out of the game. But impelled by the desire for the happiness and fun they saw the others enjoying, again and again they entered the games until finally they had learned the great secret of graceful yielding to majority rule.
One of the greatest needs of the playground to make it what it ought to be, is more apparatus. Then the supervi- sor could more nearly give her undivided attention to any particular group that may be learning a new game. Two or three teeter boards, some more swings, another slide, in fact almost any apparatus would be in constant use.
Folk dancing is very attractive, important, and desirable on a playground, but with so many things to attend to, it was impossible to do very much with it this year. About four lessons were given to it during the last week and the three weeks after the summer school had closed. With the hope of being able to take part in the folk dancing contests with neighboring towns at the Brocton Fair, the movement and steps to "Bleking", "The Mountain March", "The Minuet," etc., were learned. The children more than en- joyed them and parted with high hopes and expectations for a still better time in another year.
27
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
If the town could see fit to make a nominal appropriation for this work, how much more could be accomplished and how much more favorably would it compare with what is being done in other towns. There are many to whom ap- preciation is due. Mr. Chamberlain who cared for the' building was always very obliging and ready to do what- ever needed doing no matter what the inconvenience to him- self. He offered many valuable suggestions and was as interested in the success of the playground as I was.
I wish to thank the Superintendent, the School Com- mittee, the children and their parents, and in fact all who in any way helped to make the playground a success.
JOSEPHINE SHANAHAN, Supervisor.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY A. DONOVAN, Secretary of Teachers' Association.
The Parent-Teacher's Asssociation brings the parents and teachers together in educational and social ways, thus in- creasing their mutual understanding of what is for the child's best interests, but through a special committee our Association has for some years carried on the Home Gar- den' work. This is a highly important work and I include here a statement by the secretary of this committee.
Mr. T. M. Haines,
Superintendent of Schools.
In response to your request I submit the following report of the Home and School Gardens.
The summer of 1915 was the fourth year of the work, and great progress has been made during these four years.
-
28
FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
The garden work is carried on under the auspices of the Parent-Teachers' Association, by a committee of five and by ten supervisors who freely give their time.
About $60 is given in prizes and the expenses incidental to the work amount to about $55. This money is raised by the Association, and by contributions of public-spirited citi- zens.
The number of gardens has increased each season until this last one we had 268 home gardens.
The committee leased a piece of land on Goddard Avenue for those children who had no place at home and twenty- eight took advantage of the offer. This was an experiment on the part of the committee and was not as successful as they could wish, owing to the fact that there was practical- ly no supervision.
If the parents could realize the importance of this work and give the children more encouragement and help, the work would be far more successful.
The Home and School Gardens should be carried on as a part of the regular school system, with a paid supervisor.
All up-to-date towns are awakening to the importance of this work and are encouraging and supporting it.
We have held an exhibit of vegetables and flowers each year at, the High School, which has been very creditable.
The citizens, as a whole, do not know how much has been done along this line, and how much good has been accomp- lished.
It furnishes employment for idle hands during the long summer vacation, brings health to the tired child, forms habits of industry and in many cases is a source of income. It would seem a wise and beneficial movement on the part of the town, if at the annual town meeting, a sum of money
29
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
could be raised and appropriated for this work, and to have it carried on as a part of the regular school curriculum.
Thanks are especially due the following for their free gift of time and talent.
FRANK H. SHAW, EDWARD WILLIAMS, HENRY M. WHITE, PATRICK J. FORD, MISS ANGELA COLLINS,
MRS. WILFRED HOLBROOK, JOHN B. GOULD, JESSE STAPLES, JAMES M. MAHONEY, EDMUND PACKARD. Respectfully submitted, FLORENCE M. HOWLAND,
Secretary,
STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Many boys and girls who come to the office for labor certificates say that they wish they had not left school, that they now see where an education would help them, and were it not for the conditions of their lives and the responsibilities that have come upon them they would yet return. The State also has realized that for the individual's own good and for the good of the Common- wealth, far too many have left school with but a meager education. The State, through its Board of Education, now extends to all such a helping hand, by offering correspon- dence courses in almost every subject, without cost beyond the price of the text book used.
Rockland ought to have a hundred or more enrolled in these courses, for it is the opportunity of a life time, for both old and young. I hope that everyone who reads this will call it to the attention of someone who needs or would
30
FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
like to take up or continue some line of study. They are arranged for people of all ages.
I shall be glad to go over these courses with all who are ' interested.
SOME NEEDS OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM
In view of the present physical needs of the school system, we should have for the high school girls, who need exercise as truly as the boys need athletics, a physical director. All of her time would not be needed by the high school, so that she could organize and supervise the gymnastic and play- ground work of the grades. With her special preparation, she could assist the School Physicians as a school nurse, and in the summer could supervise the playground. By tak- ing the census she could come in contact with every home, and when children are out there would be little need of cal- ling the Attendance Officer. Truly, Rockland has in these things an important work to be done. It is a work that re- quires someone who understands children, and parents. and teachers, hygiene, and physiology, and a little medicine, and how to use them all tactfully.
Health is placed first by every thoughtful person, there- fore Rockland cannot show her wisdom in any better way than by looking to what will conserve the health of her growing citizens.
On small school grounds children simply cannot get the exercise they need. The Plain Street School, the School Street School, and the Webster Street School, each by all means should have larger playgrounds. The School Street ground should include all of the lots that border it, and then it would be small for the large number of pupils enrolled there. The High School should have an athletic field near enough to the building so that the shower baths could be used immediately after exercise, and so that it will be con- venient for the general public to attend the games.
31
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Further than this, all of our school grounds should be made more attractive.
It is true that practically every foot of a small ground is trampled over at intermissions, which practically prohibits sodding. But teachers, parents, and school officials think- ing on school ground improvement certainly will be able to find some way of solving the problem.
Every self respecting person is careful of his personal appearance. Here are our school grounds, one standing at each of the several gates to the town. What is the impres- sion they give to the strangers who enter? The pupils keep the grounds clean of rubbish, but they are still cold and bare.
Much talk is heard of spending millions for prepardness but the greatest protection of a people is their education in reasonable and just ways of thinking, and their training in applying the "Golden Rule".
At the foundation of this our highest protection, is the great teaching force of the nation. If we are to spend millions let us spend it on education; let us make the com- pensation such that it will hold in the teaching force and attract to it all of the very best that the nation can produce in the way of brain power, heart power, and ability to do. Surely, "prevention is better than cure" in international af- fairs as in any others. The good teacher realizes that those cases of discipline in which she was once inclined to use force, if taken in time, and handled properly, may never arise, or if they do arise, that the energy they represent may be turned aside into channels of helpfulness. Our pa- triotism prompts us to this higher preparation.
We must have teachers of training and experience in our High school, but we must pay higher salaries to secure and retain them, especially in certain departments.
The primary 'teachers hold a very important place in the school system. Much of a child's future success depends upon how well he is started.
32
FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
.However well the child is started, his chances for failure and retardation in the intermediate grades are very great, unless he finds there a teacher who is sympathetic and in- finitely patient. At this age he is passing from infancy to youth, his mind often seems very slow, for his energy is all going to growth, and because of his size we are apt to demand of him more maturity of mind. Many of our boys and girls have passed easily through this period because their teachers understood.
The grammar school teachers occupy an extremely dif- ficult position in the system, and the most critical in the lives of pupils. Most teachers that I interview prefer to teach either above or below the grammar school. They seem to think that their professional reputation would be in less danger. Where classes are organized for any purpose outside of the public school, do you find people clambering for the class of boys from twelve to fifteen years of age? There is a reason. At this restless age their minds are opening up as never before to the world of interesting things oustide of school. The teacher who is able to.inter- est such children and keep them in school independent of the hand of the law, must have a world of information on each of her many subjects, as well as unusual skill and tact in applying it to the needs of her pupils and the demands of society.
Our teachers not only deserve but need an increase in pay. In fact, I do not see how they live and get along as well as they do with their multitude of expenses, to say nothing of saving anything for a rainy day. The cost of living in Rockland is as high as in any town. If teachers become ill, Rockland specialists treat their cases. If they need. clothing, Rockland tailors and clothiers are consulted. They belong to two or more educational organizations, and to several Rockland societies, each of which brings its own expense. The demands made upon them make them good
33
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
spenders, so that money paid to teachers comes directly back to Rockland, both in coin and in better service to the town.
So real is their need that although the superintendent is receiving more than $100 less than the average for towns the size of Rockland, yet he would gladly forego any in- crease if doing so would insure the teachers an increase.
SCHOOL STATISTICS
Following are some of the usual statistics included in the school report, each of which is accompanied by an explan- ation and comment.
1912
1913
1914
1915
Enrollment
II48
I162
I232
I245
Increase in three years, 97.
Enroll- ment
Boys
Girls
Per cent. of Attendance
Pro rata of Tardiness
High School Grades 10-13
244
109
135
97.3
1.17
School Street
9A
40
21
19
96.8
.81
9B
43
30
13
97.9
. 67
8A
41
16
25
96.5
1.5
8B
40
18
22
95.3
.53
7A
42
24
96.1
.99
7B
39
27
12
96.7
1.9
70
43
18
25
97.
.17
Lincoln
6
41
19
22
97.3
.43
5
46
23
23
96.8
. 36
4
42
21
21
97.5
1.02
3
40
25
15
95.8
. 68
2
40
19
21
96.5
1.2
1
42
23
19
95.
. 66
Gleason
4-6
40
17
23
96.7
1.76
1-3
35
18
17
96.1
1.64
No. Avenue
4-6
37
21
16
96.6
1.
1-3
43
29
14
96.3
1.46
Summit
1-3
33
16
17
96.1
1.47
34
FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Webster
4-6
40
26
14
95.4
1.59
1-3
11
12
29
95.3
.35
Market
4-6
33
14
19
98.1
.08
1-3
42
21
21
97.
.61
Plain
4-6
44
24
20
95.8
.37
1-3
44
22
22
96.4
.68
Central
1-4
29
15
14
96.4
1.74
Total and Average
1245
627
618
96.5
.96
Total and Av. for 1914 1232
612
620
95.5
1.19
These figures for the year closing in June 1915, show an increase in the enrollment of 13 over the year before, an in- crease of 1% in the percent. of attendance, and a lowering of the pro rata of tardiness.
On file in the office are the following statistics, if any one cares to see them; viz, Aggregate Attendance, Days of School, Absence Excused, Absence Unexcused, Tardiness Excused, Tardiness Unexcused, Dismissals, Number of Pupils 5 to 15 years of age, 7 to 14 years of age, and over 15 years of age, Number promoted, Non-Promoted, On Trial, and Discharged, along with a great variety of other statistics too numerous to publish.
Mr. T. M. Haines, Supt. of Schools,
Rockland, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit my second annual report as Attendance officer of the Public Schools of Rockland.
CASES INVESTIGATED
Truants 12
On account of sickness II
On account of no shoes 6
35
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
On account of suspension
8
Reinstated suspension 8
Employment certificate
Physicians certificate
2
Kept from school 'by parents
IO
Could not find (left town)
5
Obliged to use Police force
2
One who had employment certificate was returned.
to school because of non-employment.
During the past winter several children have been kept from school on account of not having shoes suitable to wear. The parents claim the cause is hard times and slack work. I reported this to the Superintendent, Mr. Haines, and through the generosity of the Woman's Club he se- cured a quick response to their needs, in the way of shoes and rubbers, and we soon had them all in school again. Thanks to all concerned.
Respectfully submitted,
J. A. MARTIN, Attendance Officer.
EAR AND EYE TESTS, OCTOBER. 1915.
Pupils Examined
Defective Ears
Defective Per cent. of Eves eyes defective
High School
260.
5
19
7.3
School Street
285.
8
32
11.2
Lincoln
241.
0
19
7.8
N. Avenue
83.
0
7
8.4
Gleason
63.
0
7
11.1
Summit Street
34.
0
1
2.9
Webster Street
77.
3
3.8
Market Street
75.
0
3
4.0
Plain Street
87.
C
13
14.9
Central Street
22.
1
2
9.0
-
-
-
Total
1227.
1.4
106
8.6
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FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Note that those schools having the largest per cent. of de- fective eyes are very dark schools, except the Plain St. and that still has the old fashioned cross-lighting.
Since it is almost impossible to secure any more window space for the Gleason School, and the School Street School, I should strongly recommend that these schools have elec- tric lights installed in them for use on dark days.
1
SCHOOL CENSUS
Oct., '15 Oct., '14
Children 5 and 16 years of age
Boys 613
618
Girls 598 572
Total I2II
1190
Number of illiterates under 21 yrs. of age
4
6
Total
1215
I196
Of those under 7 years of age, 22 are not attending school.
Of those under 5 years of age, 103 will be 5 years of age before July 1, 1916.
LABOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED DURING THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1915
38
Educational Certificates
204
Certificates of Illiteracy
1
Total 243
More care should be used by employers in requiring mi- nors to secure the necessary certificates, and especially in having those certificates returned to the Superintendent of Schools within two days after employment of minor ter- minates.
.
Employment Certificates
-- -
37
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Several times pupils have been out of school and out of employment for weeks without my being aware that their employment had ended.
SUMMER SCHOOL JULY .6, TO AUGUST 6, 1915. 24 sessions 8,30-11:30 A.M.
The results from the Summer School may be seen from the following tables and their explanation.
TABLE I.
Teachers.
Grades.
Membership.
Av. Attendance.
% Attendance.
Honor Pupils ..
Blanche Llewellyn
1&2
22
20
94
4
Mary E. Gallagher
3&4
23
2I
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